CHAPTER VIII
NEW ORLEANS--FIRST STOP
"There she rolls, Jack, old boy--the greatest stream in the wholeU.S.A.--I swan if she don't look just as fine as when I glimpsed her forthe first time many years ago!"
That was Perk's tribute on beholding the Lower Mississippi perhapsthirty miles above New Orleans; he displayed almost as much enthusiasmas those early discoverers did centuries back, when their distended eyestook in the mighty sweep of the flood rolling down toward its junctionwith the Mexican Gulf.
It was early dawn, and the fog bank had been dissipated by a freshbreeze acting as advance courier to the rising of the sun. Jack, lookingtoward the southwest could also see the object of his companion'sexultation, and undoubtedly felt some of the same pleasure.
"When it gets a bit lighter we'll have a far distant view of the city,with its smoke cloud hovering over it," he remarked, knowing that softcoal and southern pine as used for fuel in the Fall and Winter seasonsalways caused something of a pall to mark the site of the rivermetropolis.
Perk reached around, and drew forth a case that on being openeddisclosed a pair of pretty decent binoculars, with which they had beenfitted out by the Washington authorities before starting on thisparticular man-hunt, with an idea that they might prove most usefulsooner or later.
After clapping these to his eyes Perk announced that he could easilypick up the goal of their flight from Candler Field; although the smokedid act as a screen, through which it was not possible to see withcertainty.
Jack was now bringing out all the reserve speed of their ship--it was ofsome consequence that they make a landing as early as possible, since hehad no desire to attract undue attention, and possibly have inquisitivenewspaper reporters to be asking pertinent questions as to whence theycame, what their identities might be when at home, and also concerningthe object of their coming to New Orleans. Secrecy was the foundation onwhich they meant to build their plans; and from their previousexperience with those dare devils in the employ of Slippery Slim, toomuch care could not be employed in order to mask their batteries.
So, too, as they approached the city Jack was dropping down to lowerlevels; while on his part Perk skimmed the whole scene, looking for theairport they knew to be somewhere within reach of their vision.
This being presently located he called his chum's attention to the openfield, and in almost no time they were circling it, looking for the bestplace to land.
Early though it was there were moving figures circulating around, whilesome sort of ship was coming in from over the river--possibly one of theair mail carriers from a distant station, it might be many hundred milesaway, fetching Uncle Sam's important letter sacks, and worthwhileexpress matter, at treble the speed that the fastest train could muster.
The landing was effected without the slightest difficulty, and hardlyhad their boat come to a stop than a number of persons, most of themconnected with the ground force of mechanicians and hostlers, surroundedthe incoming craft, paying but scant attention to the air mail, whichdropped down almost at the same moment--that was a daily happening, afollowing out of a regular schedule, to which they had becomeaccustomed; while the arrival of a mysterious plane might stand foralmost anything.
"Hold fast, Perk!" said Jack, as he took off his headphones, and raisinghis voice to almost a shout, so deaf did he appear after a whole night'srun; "don't tumble out yet; and keep a muffler on your gab, for we'vegot to let 'em take it out in guessing. I'll soon see if the party we'reexpecting to meet is on hand."
He still kept his helmet and goggles in position as he thrust his headout of the cockpit, and raising his right hand with two fingersextended, made a species of salute. A stout man, with a very red face,and an air of importance, immediately pushed through the gatheringcrowd, and answered Jack's signal with a similar sweep of his hand.
"It's okay, Perk--that's our party, and he's been watching for us,showing he had my wire last evening. Get a move on, and we'll soon bedoubling our legs under a breakfast table."
"Glory be! but that will be a joy to me, old hoss!" Perk exclaimed;"'cause I'm as hungry as a wolf, an' the smell o' coffee is apt to setme wild. Go to it, partner."
Jack was paying no attention to these vaporings, since it was a commonoccurrence to have old Perk declare the bottom of his stomach was indanger of falling out--he had met the red-faced gentleman and they wereshaking hands as they exchanged a few words.
"It's all fixed, comrade," he said to Perk over his shoulder, mentioningno names lest suspicious ears catch them, and thus have a clue as totheir identity; "we'll get a few of these boys to run our boat into ahangar close by, which is waiting for us, and then cut out for thecity--and grub."
This being speedily carried out, with the doors fastened securely, andthe two flyers began to hastily divest themselves of their working"duds." Before ten minutes had passed they were on their way in a taxithe gentleman friend had brought out, with Jack and their host talkingat a great rate; while as for Perk he was looking out, and finding moreor less enjoyment in seeing new and novel sights along the road.
Perk having been well coached as to the necessity for caution, made it apractice to snatch an occasional glance in their rear, looking for anysigns to indicate that their car was being trailed; but nothing at allsuspicious came to his attention.
Meantime Jack had learned that their new friend (whose name he alreadyknew to be Mr. Adkins) was connected with the Administration forces ofthe United States District Attorney, having offices in the Governmentbuilding--that he had been secretly advised of their coming days beforereceiving Jack's wire; and was ready to give them all the informationpossible concerning what had been learned in connection with thewholesale operations of the man they had been sent out to cage, so as toeffectually remove the greatest menace that had threatened business menof the Southwest in a decade.
In due time he would post them regarding all these important facts;meanwhile they could take things easy, for there was no hurry, and thegame was of too much importance to allow lax methods. When they got goodand ready they could make a start, and after that everything must dependon their ability to beat Slippery Slim at his favorite game of "dog eatdog."
He steered his guests to a certain restaurant where he knew they couldbe well taken care of, and which turned out to be close to the hotel atwhich they booked under fictitious names. Here Perk was given theprivilege of ordering just what he desired along the line of rashers ofbacon and fried eggs; cornbread with syrup; several cups of coffee takenblack; and to top off with, a Havana cigar such as he was not accustomedto smoking, being addicted to the more friendly pipe habit.
There was no talk of shop while they partook of breakfast; such businessas they had to transact was of too delicate a nature to be discussed ina public place, where strangers would be coming and going, and spyingeyes might be on them every minute of the time.
Later they gathered in the room at the hotel where, behind closed andlocked doors they felt free to confer in lowered tones.
Much had to be told, and numerous thrilling accounts brought outconnected with adventures experienced by other Secret Service men intheir efforts to round up the notorious gang--all of which had resultedin absolute defeat for the Government agents.
Shrewd men some of these parties undoubtedly were, with a record ofnumerous famous cases successfully carried through; but somehow whenthey found themselves up against Slippery Slim Garrabrant they sooner orlater fell down on the job, and had to be recalled.
In fact, it was disclosed to Jack and his pal, two different agents werenever again heard from, after secret code messages had been receivedfrom them to the effect that they were even then getting very close to agreat discovery that must end in the arrest of the malefactor--a deadsilence that had never been broken seemed to signify that they must havefallen into some sort of fiendish trap, possibly meeting with a gruesomefate that would be forever shrouded in blank mystery.
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nbsp; Mr. Adkins, watching closely as he narrated these uncomfortable facts,was pleased to see that neither of his interested auditors displayed theleast sign of being disturbed, showing that they had long sincediscounted everything along this line.